Rotten teeth can be only be treated by a professional dental cleaning.

However, if they can not be treated further, they should be extracted.

The treatment process has several stages and takes time to heal if a dog has periodontal disease.

What To Do When Your Dog’s Teeth Are Rotting?

  1. Dental checks and cleaning
  2. Daily brushing
  3. Healthy diet
  4. Toys and treats for chewing

1. Dental Checks and Cleaning

Pet parents should get their pets’ messed-up teeth examined and cleaned on a regular basis.

It’s critical to have your companion’s dental health examined by a veterinarian at least once every year.

Your pet insurance company may also need yearly dental examinations.

They can deny dental care requests if you’re not using them. [1]

Plaque cleanup is required in the initial stages of periodontal disease, while more severe forms of periodontitis may involve surgery.

2. Daily Brushing

Daily brushing and cleaning, if done properly, can help eliminate the majority of plaque from your canine’s teeth, so even once or twice a week is healthier than doing nothing.

For canines, there are many specialized toothbrushes and toothpaste available in the market.

Regular brushing and cleaning your pet’s teeth while he is still a puppy is a good idea.

They’ll gradually become familiar with brushing their teeth as an important step of their regular routine.

Did you Know?

Brushing your pet’s teeth at least two times a day with dog toothpaste is recommended

3. Healthy Diet

Sweetened meals should never be offered to canines in excess since germs will develop in their mouth.

Several pet parents and vets think that feeding their dogs uncooked meaty bones is beneficial to their dental health.

They encourage regular chewing and help to maintain gums healthy.

Organic enzymes in uncooked or raw food meals help dogs fight harmful plaque, resulting in stronger teeth and gums. [2]

4. Toys and Treats for Chewing

Pet parents may purchase chew toys that are meant to prevent tooth decay in their dogs while they nibble on them.

They enhance a pup’s natural need to chew while also strengthening its teeth.

Enzymes and eating together effectively eliminate plaque and tartar accumulation from gums and teeth in some of these dental dog chews.

What Do Bad Dog Teeth Look Like?

Dental decay in dogs is similar to tooth decay in humans, which illustrates why “the eroding away of the enamel surface, the tooth’s protective shell. 

Plaque is a thick kind of bacteria that develops on teeth all the time, and chemicals eat away all the enamel.”

When enamel starts to deteriorate, a hole forms, allowing additional germs to enter the vacuum or cavity.

It results in decay.

That is why it is important to regularly brush and clean your pet’s teeth to get rid of excessive plaque and tartar. [3]

However, even if you are an attentive and loving owner, you can not discover symptoms of dental issues in your old dog.

Cavities can occasionally be detected during a routine oral examination, but they are more commonly discovered after a tooth has been treated and a vet does a thorough oral examination on a sedated pet.

Tooth decay is more common on the occlusal [eating] sides of permanent molars in dogs.

It looks like a brownish-black gingival lesion having a firm surface that a pointed explorer needle may pierce and get into it.

That is the reason why you can not always notice a cavity since you can’t perform that type of examination.

There are not a lot of signs and symptoms that we connect with tooth decay.

Pet parents may detect a foul odor coming from their pet’s mouth or teeth that are entirely coated with calculus (tartar).

The dental illness causes pain gradually, and dogs just find a way to live with it.

They continue to eat and explore, although they may appear to be a bit older. [4]

What is the connection between rotting away teeth and periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, in canines?

An accumulation of plaque and tartar may be significant enough to create difficulties, but unlike periodontitis, there is no fixed succession of phases for dog tooth decay.

Did you Know?

You might not be able to detect rotting out tooth with a naked eye

What Are The Stages Of Dog Dental Disease?

Stage 1 of Dog Periodontal Disease

Gingivitis, or gum infection, is the first stage without any bone or enamel loss.

There are often mild indicators of illness that go unnoticed since there are no visible symptoms. [5]

The following are some of the Stage 1 symptoms:

  1. Gums are red or swollen
  2. Gums start bleeding when you brush or eat
  3. Stinky breath problems

Prognosis

A canine with Stage 1 periodontal disease has a better prognosis if he receives proper dental treatment.

Stage 2 of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

During Stage 2 periodontal disease, a tooth’s connection to the pulp tissue is reduced by 25% or less than that.

X-rays might reveal minor bone loss and significantly irregular and deep periodontal levels throughout a check-up. [6]

The following are some of the Stage 2 symptoms:

  1. Gums are red or swollen
  2. Gums will bleed when you brush or bite
  3. Breath problems
  4. Gums that have receded might be present or absent

Prognosis

A canine with Stage 2 periodontal disease has a high success rate if he gets regular dental care.

Stage 3 of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

Periodontal disease has advanced to the point that 25-50% of the dentin foundation has been destroyed.

Upon x-rays, medium to extreme bone loss can be seen, and examining the gums may reveal excessive periodontal cavities.

The following are some of the Stage 3 symptoms:

  1. Gums are red or swollen
  2. Gums could bleed when you brush or chew
  3. Breath problems
  4. Gum recession is moderate
  5. Teeth are loose

Prognosis

A canine with Stage 3 periodontal disease has a moderate prognosis when complex dental treatments are executed, and you can provide regular at-home dental care.

Usually, at this point, their teeth must be removed (pulled).

Stage 4 of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

During Stage 4 periodontal disease, x-rays and periodontal examination indicate that more than half of the tooth’s tissues have been lost.

The following are some of the Stage 4 symptoms:

  1. Exposed tooth roots
  2. Teethare loose
  3. Teeth are missing
  4. Pus may flow from the gums and around the teeth

Prognosis

A canine with Stage 4 periodontal disease has a really bad prognosis. Any tooth that has reached stage 4 of the disease should be removed.

 

Behavioral Changes:

  1. While the illness develops, you might detect many behavioral changes.
  2. Because of their sore gums, they can no longer clean their teeth.
  3. Keep chewing or rubbing their mouth in a different way.
  4. While you attempt to open their mouth to check their teeth, they startle or draw away.
  5. Exhibit a more reserved or angry temperament.
  6. Afraid to play with their chew toys.

How To Fix Bad Teeth In Dogs?

The medication for gum disease in canines is determined by the level of periodontal disease that your pet is experiencing. [Image 1]

The following are some of the measures that your vet might take.

Professional Dental Cleaning

The initial step in the treatment of gum disease is to get thorough professional teeth cleaning, which should include the following:

  1. Plaque and tartar are removed by scraping the teeth along each gum line.
  2. Cleaning and whitening the teeth
  3. X-rays of the whole mouth
  4. Checking for irregular cavities on each tooth using a tool

This treatment should be carried under general anesthesia, which will help the vet to assess the stage of illness that each tooth has been in.

Treatment of Stage 1 Periodontal Disease in Dogs

When all of your pet’s molars are in Stage 1, no additional treatment is required, but you should clean his teeth every day.

Treatment for Stage 2 of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

Once your pup’s periodontal disease has progressed to Stage 2, he or she will need expert dental cleanings.

However, when your veterinarian is undergoing a dental cleaning, he will perform a thorough cleaning of any problematic periodontal cavities and administer an antifungal gel to all those regions to try to seal the cavities and minimize potential tooth attachment loss.

Treatment for Stage 3 of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

Your doctor will conduct complex repair treatments if teeth are discovered in Stage 3.

They would also start with creating a thorough at-home oral care regimen in order to maintain your pet’s teeth.

Otherwise, tooth extraction would have been the suggested procedure.

Treatment for Stage 4 of Periodontal Disease in Dogs

As mentioned earlier, the only solution for teeth in Stage 4 is removal.

The molars are too badly decayed to preserve and are causing a lot of discomfort and inflammation.

Therefore, rather than using home cures or oral care products during this time, you must treat your pet’s gum disease promptly with your vet.

Side Effects Of Poor Dental Health

  1. Gum Inflammation
  2. Pathologic Jaw Fracture
  3. Kidney and Liver Disease
  4. Heart Disease
  5. Loss of Weight and Appetite

1. Gum Inflammation

Plaque bacteria produce chemicals underneath the gum line, causing harm to the attached tissues.

The germs are then destroyed by white blood cells that enter these regions.

Gingivitis is a term for the infection of the gums caused by this procedure. [7]

The gums become extremely red and swollen as a result of the infection, and the tissues might bleed if touched.

2. Pathologic Jaw Fracture

Periodontal disease, or the destruction of the supporting and structural tissues around the teeth, is also often caused by infection.

The inflammatory procedure that occurs when white blood cells try to remove accumulated germs diminishes the tooth’s connecting tissues.

The tooth cavities and facial bones become structurally weaker as a result of this damage with time. [8]

Did you Know?

Missing teeth, inflammation, and jaw dislocation are all signs of periodontitis.

3. Kidney and Liver Disease

Dental bacteria can travel through the bloodstream by oral disease.

Once they enter the bloodstream, these bacteria will spread out and infect other organs, including the kidneys and liver.

Non – treated dog periodontal disease has been linked to organ inflammation (such as liver problems or kidney damage) and failure. [9]

4. Heart Disease

Periodontal disease causes chronic infection, which raises a pet’s risk of cardiovascular disease.

Endocarditis is an unpleasant disease caused by bacteria in the bloodstream.

According to research, canines with dental problems have a higher chance of developing heart problems, a gradual and possibly dangerous condition. [10]

5. Loss of Weight and Appetite

Trying to feed your pet could become an unpleasant or perhaps even traumatic process due to oral diseases.

As a result, canines could find it difficult to raise their jaw and effectively consume their meals, and they might even drop the food from their mouths when chewing.

The inability to eat might cause your pet’s physical health to worsen with time, resulting in weight loss.

Decreased appetite and fat loss might be signs that oral illness is causing your pet’s organs to shut down slowly.

Pro Tip! Bad dental health can cause the liver, heart, and kidney to work improperly.

Symptoms Of Bad Teeth In Dogs

  1. Unusual Drooling
  2. Bad Breath in Dogs
  3. Decreased diet
  4. Sneezing and Nasal Discharge
  5. Your Dog Has Been Chewing on One Side of the Mouth Only
  6. Sudden Shyness
  7. Visible Changes in Your Dog’s Mouth

1. Unusual Drooling

Dogs drool as they nibble on tasty snacks and toys; however, if they have dental problems, they might drool excessively.

The salivary glands can work more every time there is an infection or discomfort in the mouth, which is why your pet drools more. [11]

Bleeding may be seen in the mouth in certain situations.

In such difficult situations, you need to take your furry friend to the vet right away as he might be suffering from a more severe disease.

2. Bad Breath in Dogs

Foul breath is common in unhealthy animals.

If your pet’s breath is beginning to turn awful, he might have a problem with his mouth.

Terrible pet breath might indicate that your pet has a dental cavity or an inflammation, and any of these conditions could be triggering teeth discomfort.

3. Decreased Diet

When a canine has dental discomfort, he might not even eat like he typically eats since chewing is painful for him.

You could observe him begin to eat, then quickly stop.

He might even throw up his meal or cry while eating.

You could try to give him some soft food.

Not wanting to eat is a sign that can indicate a variety of health issues.

Therefore, whether the main reason is tooth discomfort or not, you must bring your companion to the vet right away if his appetite completely changes.

4. Sneezing and Nasal Discharge

Undiagnosed gum disease can lead the bones between the nose and mouth canals to deteriorate.

Sneezing and runny nose are two symptoms that may have happened in severe cases of periodontal disease in your pet’s upper molars.

5. Your Dog Has Been Chewing on One Side of the Mouth Only

When a pup’s teeth hurt in one corner of his mouth, then he might selectively chew on the other side that doesn’t cause him pain.

If he unintentionally rubs the sore side with treats or a toy in his mouth, then he might throw it out.

6. Sudden Shyness

If your canine generally enjoys being touched but suddenly begins to turn his face sideways from your contact, then he might be doing that due to dental pain.

He simply does not want anyone to approach his mouth for fear of intensifying his discomfort.

7. Visible Changes in Your Dog’s Mouth

You might be able to identify if something is problematic with your pet’s mouth simply by checking into it.

It is something you must do on a daily basis to maintain proper dental health.

During an oral examination, you might detect a puffy part of his mouth, inflammatory or bleeding gums, cracked or tooth loss, or abnormalities in his mouth. [Image 2]

Did you Know?

Poor oral health can even cause your dog’s jaw to shake

How to Tell If Rotten Dog Teeth Are Rotting and Falling Out?

It’s often difficult to determine whether your pet has broken teeth until a tooth or bit of tooth falls on the floor.

A pup’s lips will frequently bleed and you could spot that in his food or water dish.

You may also be capable to notice where a tooth has broken off: Look for swollen gums in one area of your mouth.

A bit of the molar could have broken off in case your pet has a serious dental disease. [Image 3]

Gum disease or damage to the region are the most common causes of a pet’s teeth coming out.

Plaque accumulation causes inflamed gums (gingivitis) and afterward periodontitis, in which the gums peel away and get loose from the teeth, revealing them to germs and finally leading to missing teeth and deterioration.

It’s essential to take your pooch to a vet if you notice symptoms of gingivitis.

What Causes Dogs’ Teeth To Rot?

Calculus, the sticky white coating that covers the teeth when they are not brushed regularly, includes several dangerous germs that can lead to periodontal disease.

Within 24 hours, plaque develops in a healthy mouth. [Image 4]

The plaque will build up in your pet’s teeth if they are not cleaned on a daily basis.

The plaque will get hardened and form into dental calculus, generally known as tartar, within 72 hours.

Tartar enables more bacteria to build since it is quicker for plaque to get accumulate to a rough surface than the normal clean tooth surface. [Image 5]

Plaque present on the tooth surface causes gum infection (gingivitis, Stage 1 of periodontal disease) and gradually spreads to the underlying tissue surrounding the tooth.

As a result of the dog’s immune reaction to plaque, the connecting tissues and bone that surround the tooth will be destroyed.

Also! Gingivitis can also lead to form tooth abscesses in dogs.

What Can Happen if You Don’t Treat Gum Disease in Dogs?

  1. Jaw Fractures
  2. Tooth Abscesses
  3. Oronasal Fistulas
  4. Eye Issues
  5. Oral Cancers
  6. Increased Risk of Organ Damage

1. Jaw Fractures

Jaw injuries can occur as a result of severe periodontal disease, which destroys the bones that hold the teeth.

Since the foundation of their dentition is near to the margins of their jaws, miniature breed dogs are at the greatest danger.

Toy breeds and smaller dogs are also more likely to have periodontal disease, which is a tragedy waiting to happen.

2. Tooth Abscesses

Periodontal disease can lead to dental root abscesses that could burst through the skin and leave unpleasant blisters on the mouth and chin. [12]

3. Oronasal Fistulas

Non – treated gum disease can lead to oronasal fistulas that are cavities that connect the oral and nasal airways. [13]

Dachshunds, in particular, are more likely to have this.

Frequent sneezing and runny nose are common symptoms.

4. Eye Issues

Dental root infections can also cause eye problems because the teeth present in the rear of the mouth are located directly behind the eyes.

If that’s not handled quickly, the pet’s eyesight may be lost.

5. Oral Cancers

Although no such researches have been published on dogs, several human research has shown that patients with chronic periodontitis have a higher chance of having oral cancer. [14]

6. Increased Risk of Organ Damage

Periodontal disease in canines could have a negative impact on other internal organs.

Infectious agents and toxic inflammatory chemicals in their mouths may travel through the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body as a result of this condition.

Chronic kidney illness, liver problems, and cardiovascular disease are all believed to increase the chance of periodontitis in canines.

Did you Know?

Orgain failure can cause difficulties for diabetic dogs

Conclusion

Now that you know what to do if a dog’s teeth are rotten, you should not delay the process any further.

Brushing their teeth regularly and cleaning their gums will prevent tooth decay in dogs to some extend.

You must also have yearly check-ups to avoid the risk of getting your pet periodontal disease.